Carl Benton Terry

Carl Benton Terry, age 90 passed away in his Zionsville home on February 24, 2026, surrounded by family and friends. He was born November 11, 1935 in Sparta, Tennessee to the late Henry Cleveland and Clennie Mae Terry. Carl was preceded in death by his siblings: Marion Terry, Elene Terry, Fannie (Jewel) Hensley, William (Bill) Terry, Donald Terry, Lena (Lucy) Brundage, Robert Terry, Erby Terry and Louise Atnip.

Carl was raised in Sparta and during a visit to Augusta, Georgia in 1952 he met the love of his life, Ora Lee Handy. They married on May 15, 1953 and had three children-daughters, Karla Stein and Karen Terry, and a son, Carl Alan (Kipp) Terry. In addition, they have three grandchildren: Ryan Stein (Kim) of Virginia, Matthew (Becky) Stein of New Jersey and Noel (Gabe) Thimlar of Indiana as well as five great grandchildren: Bryce and Bexley Stein, Madelyn and Sophia Stein and Aura Lee Thimlar. Karen and Ora Lee, his wife of 71 years preceded Carl in death.

Carl worked in commercial construction until the mid-1960's. In partnership with Ora Lee and with the generous support from Kipp and Karen they built a high-end custom gunite swimming pool, spa and water feature construction business, Terry Pool Company, Inc. After a short time, they recognized a need to expand their referral-based business to include service and a retail store operating for nearly sixty years until closing the business in 2022.

Carl was frequently recognized as a top builder by the National Swimming Pool Institute and for his craftsmanship by the Aqua 100 Professional Magazine. He was selected to the elite Master Pools Guild in 1982 and remained an active member for over forty years and served on the board. Carl won many awards for his creative masterpieces and dedication to quality workmanship. Water safety was extremely important to Carl and he was instrumental in establishing Indiana state law to require automatic pool covers and/or fences with height requirements to protect children.

Carl enjoyed his snowmobile trips out west and the fishing trips with his buddies while visiting his homes in Naples, Florida.

Services will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Care at 125 West Sycamore Street, Zionsville, IN 46077 with final resting place in Zionsville Cemetery. Visitation will start at 11:00 AM followed by the service at 12:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Indiana Parkinson Foundation at 14350 Mundy Drive, Suite 800 #181, Noblesville, IN 46060.